Our farm
Small town roots and local pride.
Hi! We're Bill and Cindy Rooney, founders of Pups & Lou. Thanks for stopping by. We look forward to telling you about us, and to getting to know you and your family.
About us
It started with knowing what's real.
We both grew up in small towns, and Cindy actually grew up in Goochland. We met at Longwood College (now University) in Farmville, fell in love, married, and started our family. Fast forward 30 plus years.
As we watched our four children grow, our parents age, and ourselves get a bit older, staying healthy became more important than ever. But knowing which foods are healthiest is not easy. "All natural", "grass fed", even "organic" don't always mean what we think they mean. How do we know what we are eating is real?
So in 2023 we took matters into our own hands and started growing microgreens. Pea shoots and broccoli at first, then sunflower and radish. Just seeds, soil, and water. In 2024 we opened our microfarm: indoor, vertical, and climate controlled, which means year round growing, no bugs, and less water.
Our pets were the ones stealing sprouts off the harvest tray, so Pups & Lou grew out of the same idea: clean, simple food you can actually trace, freeze-dried into treats for dogs, rabbits, and birds.
How a batch happens
Four steps, one microfarm
Seed indoors, year round
Broccoli, cabbage, sunflower, and radish seed goes into trays of clean soil. Just seeds, soil, and water, no additives and no growing season to wait on.
Grow in a climate controlled room
Our vertical racks stay at a steady temperature and humidity, so every tray comes in the same: no bugs, no spraying, and far less water than field growing.
Cut and mix to order
Greens are harvested the morning we mix a batch and folded into simple whole-food recipes for dogs, small pets, and birds. Small batches mean we taste-check every one.
Freeze-dry for 22 hours
Low temperature, high vacuum. The water leaves, the nutrients stay, and the texture turns into the crunch pets come running for.
2023
First trays of pea shoots
2024
Microfarm opened
5
Microgreen varieties grown
365
Growing days a year
About you
How about you and your pet?
Want to make feeding your pet healthier and less boring? We would like to help. Take a look at our treats, and if you're not sure what to order or just have questions, send us a note. We would love to get to know you and find what works for your pet.